Joaquin Phoenix Rumored to lead Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’

With Marvel’s highly anticipated Hall H panel at San Diego’s Comic-Con rapidly approaching, the internet rumor mill is ablaze as to what surprises Marvel has in-store.

According to The Wrap, “multiple individuals close to the casting process” of Marvel’s mystical Doctor Strange movie (directed by Scott Derrickson) are claiming Joaquin Phoenix “has had discussions”to take on the role of the sorcerer supreme. No deals have been officially announced as of yet.

Just like any other internet rumors, I would not put all my stock in Phoenix becoming the good doctor. Why? Well this is not the first superhero film the “Gladiator” actor has been tied to. He was allegedly in talks to take on the role of Lex Luthor in the upcoming “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The role which ultimately went to Jesse Eisenberg.

Sources, however, say that despite his penchant for auteur films, such as Spike Jonze’s “Her” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master,” Phoenix would never have engaged in such lengthy talks unless he had ambitions to be part of a superhero film.

Doctor Strange’s abridged story goes like this. Arrogant top notch surgeon ruins his hands in a car accident. After seeking out every scientific approach to recovery, the broken and desperate doctor takes the route of the occult. After numerous trials and tribulations, he ultimately surpasses his teachers and assumes the title of the “Sorcerer Supreme,” becoming a mystical protector of the universe.

Given Phoenix’s well-honed acting skills and his age, he would be an ideal candidate to breathe life into this complex character. Besides, Dr. Strange is, well, STRANGE and we are all are quite aware of the inherent oddness that is Joaquin Phoenix. I guess we will just have to wait and see if Marvel teases us any further tomorrow.

About The Author

Since his wee lad-dom, Pooya has been a sommelier of cinema. It was likely some acting bug, fallen from the dust riddled ruby curtains of an enchanted old stage that did it. Those cinematic scarabs must have burrowed deep into his brain, irreversibly altering his mind, turning the poor boy down a dismal path. From his earliest years the strange boy would aimlessly wander the aisles of countless video rental stores, amassing his trivial knowledge with vigor. These actions befuddled the boy’s parents, who still would lovingly oblige his unusual attraction to the motion picture. Often seeking refuge in the cushioned seating of his local movie theater, the odd adolescent would immerse himself in the scripted and effects riddled realities unfolding on the screen before him. During his collegiate years, he was twice spotted on stage performing bizarre theatrical rituals before awe-struck audiences. When he departed from academia, he left behind his youth in exchange for a labor routine, but the strange young man never lost his long-cultivated love of film. Recently, Pooya was approached by FilmFad.com to join their budding team of entertainment bloggers. After hours of coaxing and an undisclosed number of honey jars, he accepted their offer. Finally he had come full circle. Finally, at FilmFad.com, he was home.